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Dental radiology, or roentgenology, is composed of technical and interpretive procedures that interdependently result in useful diagnostic data. Technical procedures depend on a comprehension of morphologic and physical sciences, and interpretation must be correlated with microscopic, clinical laboratory, and clinical findings. Although technic and interpretation continue to form the core of dental radiology, they no longer constitute the entire scope of the science. X-radiation is only one form of radiant energy available to the dental practitioner, the teacher, and the investigator. The scope of dental radiology has broadened within recent years to encompass, at least potentially, many physical and biologic phenomena. With these advances has come a responsibility to protect the health of involved individuals from needless, useless, and wasteful exposure to ionizing radiation of all types. Federal regulations relating to diagnostic x-ray systems and major components are now in effect. Certification of competency for all users of ionizing radiation on human beings is in the offing. The future presents a tremendously stimulating challenge to dentistry and to the dental radiologist. A single book no longer can cover completely all aspects of this constantly expanding field. The science crosses the lines of many diverse disciplines, and one volume cannot serve as a suitable reference for the student, the general practitioner, and the individual interested in specific, in-depth aspects of the science. It became necessary early in the development of this book to focus on and define its purpose. This book is written for the dental student and for the general practitioner; some of the chapters are applicable to the training of dental auxiliaries. Dental specialists, of course, should be thoroughly conversant with the technical aspects of this text and with the interpretive portions that apply to their specialty.